Conservation Commission issues orders of conditions for Blood Realty, Ampet Inc. projects

PEPPERELL — October 17, 2017 — Pepperell Conservation Commission voted unanimously on four separate actions at its October 17 meeting, including orders of conditions for a riverfront parking lot rehabilitation and an underground storage tank removal. The commission approved conditions for Blood Realty's repaving project at 129 Main Street, adjacent to the Nashua River, requiring that snow be trucked off-site entirely, that only calcium chloride be used for de-icing, and that a staggered row of lowbush blueberry shrubs replace a proposed bioswale as a vegetated buffer along the river edge — a change pushed by commissioners who said the original swale dimensions were impractical. Environmental consultant Matt Morrow, hired by Blood Realty, acknowledged the commission's preference: "I'm a big advocate for vegetative buffers, especially around lakes, rivers, streams." The commission also closed the Ampet Inc. public hearing, incorporating Mass DEP and EPA conditions and requiring a dewatering dirt bag be removed within five business days of project completion. Eagle Scout candidate Mason Cosman of Troop 13 received approval to replace a damaged sign on the Jeff Smith Trail at Orange Street and build a new kiosk at the Venus Road trailhead, with paperwork expected by November 1. The commission also voted to accept a donated six-acre wetland parcel near Elm Street, described by staff as "absolutely beautiful, but very wet" and located within the 500-year floodplain.